Transportation

U.K. certifies Morpho Detection’s Itemiser DX for air cargo screening
The U.K. Department for Transport has certified the Itemiser DX desktop explosives trace detection (ETD) system from Morpho Detection for air cargo screening at U.K. airports
- Read more
Canadian airports deploy desktop explosives trace detection systems
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) acquired sixty-three desktop explosives trace detection (ETD) systems to be deployed to airports in Canada to support passenger and baggage screening efforts
- Read more

High-seas piracy? There will soon be an app for that
The U.S. Navy is sponsoring research aiming at developing Web applications to help multinational navies police the world’s oceans
- Read more
Robust growth continues for aviation security industry
Existing threats, rising passenger numbers, and airport expansion projects mean that the global aviation security market will reach $22.3 billion in 2012
- Read more

CBP tests streamlined cargo security procedure
U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP) launched Simplified Entry Pilot, which allows participants to file a streamlined data set much earlier in the import process, thus providing more time to identify security threats
- Read more
Concerns raised about body-cavities explosives attack on aviation
Security services raised the possibility that al Qaeda affiliates may decide to mark the anniversary of the killing of Osama Bin Laden by sending suicide bombers with explosives inside their bodies to bring down airplanes; these experts point to an August 2009 attempt by a suicide body-bomber on a Saudi prince, and to the fact that U.S. drones earlier this year killed a Yemeni doctor who had devised medical procedures which could be used surgically to plant explosive devices in humans
- Read more

Study challenges Russian investigation of Smolensk plane crash
A new study by a team of experts of the 10 April 2010 plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, in which the Polish president, his wife, nine NATO generals and others were killed, raises pointed questions about the conclusions of the official Russian investigation into the incident, and points to contradictions and discrepancies in the report
- Read more
Airport racial profiling app unveiled
The New York-based Sikh Coalition, together with other civil rights organizations, is today unveiling a mobile application which allows users to report instances of racial profiling at airports in real time; users are prompted with some questions geared specifically toward Sikhs, but that the app also allows for accounts of discrimination from members of all communities who feel their rights have been violated
- Read more

Intelligent surveillance to bolster Aussie national security
Researchers are working on developing smart technology that combines 2D and 3D video images taken from a variety of challenging environments and makes it possible to identify a person without the need to stand face on to a camera
- Read more
Rhinoceros beetles foretell future of flapping-wing design
Researchers launch a quantitative investigation of aerodynamics and wing kinematics in rhinoceros beetle flight in order to shed new light on the evolution of flapping flight in nature; experimental study of the aerodynamic performance of beetles in forward/hovering flight will provide insight into designs for efficient and stable flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles
- Read more

New insights into terrorist threats to ground transportation
A new analysis of terrorist attacks, and attempted attacks, on ground transportation shows that from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, terrorist groups used chemicals to attack surface transportation; from the mid-1990s on, multiple bombs became the new prototype for terrorist attacks
- Read more
£5 million investment in U.K. rail technology, business innovation
The U.K. government is leading on an investment of £5 million to accelerate business innovation and growth in the U.K. rail industry, using the funds to support the development of technologies to address technological and business challenges
- Read more

New report analyzes the airport security equipment sector
A new report offers a detailed business analysis of the leading 125 companies in the airport security equipment sector
- Read more
NY-NJ Port Authority centralizes security operations
The Port of Authority of New York and new Jersey has created a stand-alone Security Department and is now searching for a Chief Security Officer to oversee all security and safety functions, resources, and personnel
- Read more
Lego pirate proves, survives, super rogue wave
Scientists have used a Lego pirate floating in a fish tank to demonstrate for the first time that so-called “super rogue waves” can come from nowhere in apparently calm seas and engulf ships
- Read more